U.S. Olympic gymnasts inspire all ages in Anaheim

Sept. 16, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Olympic gold medalists Gabby Douglas applauds Kyla Ross of Aliso Viejo during the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions held at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Sunday. Orange County's McKayla Maroney made an appearance too, but is not be able to perform because of a leg injury. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Olympic gold medal gymnastics team members including Kyla Ross of Aliso Viejo, fourth from top, make a winning entrance during the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions held at the Honda Center in Anaheim Sunday. Jordyn Wieber is to Ross' left. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Kyla Ross of Aliso Viejo performs on the uneven bars during the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions held at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. on Sunday. Ross participates in the gymnastics performance that, in addition to the Fierce Five, includes 2008 Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin and members of the U.S. men's team. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Members of the U.S. men's gymnastics team show they can dance too. They wowed the crowd during the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions held at the Honda Center on Sunday. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Members of the U.S. men's gymnastics team show incorporate gymnastics and with dance during the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions held at the Honda Center Sunday. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Olympic gold medalists strut their stuff and open the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions held at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Sunday. Team USA's 40-city victory lap around the country concludes on Nov. 18 in Brooklyn, New York. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Olympic gold medalists Gabby Douglas applauds Kyla Ross of Aliso Viejo during the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions held at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Sunday. Orange County's McKayla Maroney made an appearance too, but is not be able to perform because of a leg injury.CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

ANAHEIM – The lines of excited fans outside the arena began forming hours before the show began, teenagers and preteens eager to get a glimpse of their idols.

A rock 'n' roll concert? No.

Rock stars? Absolutely.

The gold medal-winning Olympian gymnasts known as the Fierce Five took over the Honda Center on Sunday for the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastic Champions.

The event was a sort of homecoming for Kyla Ross, 15, of Aliso Viejo and for McKayla Maroney, 16, of Laguna Niguel, who was unable to perform because of a leg injury she suffered at the start of the tour.

Still, for many in the audience, just getting to see their heroes was worth the ticket price – $30 to $125.

"They are all so good. They spent so many years perfecting their skills and they made this country proud," said Kalila Karimi, 13, of Tustin.

Karimi said she grew up going to gymnastic classes but gave it up a few years back.

"I know how much dedication that takes," she said. "They make it look so easy, but it's not."

Katelyn Johnson, 12, of San Clemente was one of several Orange County gymnasts invited to participate in the show's opening ceremonies and introduce the Olympians.

Johnson was giddy about the idea of seeing Ross, her favorite gymnast.

"My mom says I'm built a lot like her," Johnson said. "She – and the whole team – has really inspired me to do much better. It's an amazing feeling to be on the same floor as the Olympians. What an honor."

As the show began, a crowd of about 7,000 fans cheered wildly as the Olympians twirled on the parallel bars, spun precisely on the balance beam and tumbled and flipped on trampolines and in floor routines.

While most of the screaming fans were young girls, some more mature fans were also feeling pretty proud as they watched.

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